For our second Action Project in the Argument course, we were asked to take a look at the GCE Code of Conduct and amend one of the rules. In this unit we talked a lot about the Constitution and Declaration of Independence and how both establish arguments. The purpose of this Action Project was to show the flawed logic behind a rule in the school Code of Conduct that students have to abide by. I am proud of how I remade the rule that I amended. I think that it takes very important things that go along with it into consideration. Newly amended, the rule will help benefit the school community. It was challenging to figure out which rule I was going to pick, but I am glad I chose the one that I did.
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| Paper Shredders- You Get What You Pay For!, Trudy. Your Organized World. Sept. 12, 2012. |
The GCE Code of Conduct is filled with a bunch of different types of rules with sections including, truancy, plagiarism, dress code . The rule I chose to ammend states that we as students are not permitted to use cellphones in class, yet so many people do. The rule reads:
The use of electronic devices during class time or Field Experience, unless specifically authorized by the teacher for class work, is prohibited. Cell phone use is allowed between classes and during lunch. It also states that If a student uses his/her cell phone in class , the following disciplinary actions will be taken: First time- device into ‘class bin’ until the end of the class, second time- school personnel will retain cell phone until the end of the day, third time- school personnel will retain the device until parent/guardian claims it. If a student uses his/her cell phone during an FE, the following disciplinary actions will be taken: First time- verbal warning from FE Leader's), second time- FE Leader/s will retain cell phone until the end of the day, third time- school personnel will retain the device until parent/guardian claims it.
Deconstructed into a formal argument, this rule is:
P1: Using cellphones in class without authorization is against the Code of Conduct.
P2: Students are not permitted to use cell phones on FE unless authorized.
C: Students who use cell phones without authorization are subject to their cell phone being taken until the end of the day.
Students may need to use their phones to record something, send themselves a reminder, etc. Some students need their phones in case of a problem or emergency with their family. Students should also be able to take calls if they know they are important. If there is a case of a family emergency and someone calls the student, s/he should be allowed to check their phone. If the student knows it is out of the ordinary for them to be getting a call during school, they should have the right to check it. Students who have been deemed trustworthy should also able to use their phones if necessary. My rule change as a formal argument would be as follows:
P1: A student can only use their phone in case of emergency.
P2: This student must be one who is known to be trustworthy and will not use their phone to go on social media, text, etc. (unless there is an emergency).
C: Trustworthy students can use their phones for emergencies or class/FE use only.
To better understand my argument, consider the following situation: If someone is using a piece of paper to write things down, and someone else comes and takes it from them with the excuse that it is against the rules to use this piece of paper, it would not be fair. The paper is that person’s property and no one should be able to take that and assume that they are using it for something other than school when they aren’t. The paper being used is the person’s property. They are using it for a reason to benefit them in school. This goes along with cell phones because cell phones are a student's property.
If the current rule was changed, students will be able to use their phones in class when there is an emergency. There have been many times when students get an unexpected call, but they were not allowed to answer it. With my proposed amendment, students will be allowed to use their phones if needed. My argument has some supporters already. According to student DR, “When there is a time where access to a computer isn't well, accessible, there is some contradiction in the Code of Conduct because without my phone, my production and participation in class would be almost absent. Sure, phones can be a distraction for some students, but with the right guidelines and rules, phones should be permitted. For some students, phones are a savior.” DR raises another great reason for why my amendment is needed when he refers to the tech challenges students sometimes face and their inability to have a working laptop at all times
The rule that I am amending follows closest to the first amendment which states that “the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances is prohibited.” This amendment represents the rule I chose to change because students have a right to use their own property. Students own their phones, they should be able to use them if need be. Teachers should not be allowed to dictate if they can use them, especially in emergency situations. I understand that students need to focus, and they should not be able to use cell phones just to go on social media or text, but I think that people should be able to use their phones if necessary. This amendment will help benefit the school community because it places more trust in students.
The use of electronic devices during class time or Field Experience, unless specifically authorized by the teacher for class work, is prohibited. Cell phone use is allowed between classes and during lunch. It also states that If a student uses his/her cell phone in class , the following disciplinary actions will be taken: First time- device into ‘class bin’ until the end of the class, second time- school personnel will retain cell phone until the end of the day, third time- school personnel will retain the device until parent/guardian claims it. If a student uses his/her cell phone during an FE, the following disciplinary actions will be taken: First time- verbal warning from FE Leader's), second time- FE Leader/s will retain cell phone until the end of the day, third time- school personnel will retain the device until parent/guardian claims it.
Deconstructed into a formal argument, this rule is:
P1: Using cellphones in class without authorization is against the Code of Conduct.
P2: Students are not permitted to use cell phones on FE unless authorized.
C: Students who use cell phones without authorization are subject to their cell phone being taken until the end of the day.
Students may need to use their phones to record something, send themselves a reminder, etc. Some students need their phones in case of a problem or emergency with their family. Students should also be able to take calls if they know they are important. If there is a case of a family emergency and someone calls the student, s/he should be allowed to check their phone. If the student knows it is out of the ordinary for them to be getting a call during school, they should have the right to check it. Students who have been deemed trustworthy should also able to use their phones if necessary. My rule change as a formal argument would be as follows:
P1: A student can only use their phone in case of emergency.
P2: This student must be one who is known to be trustworthy and will not use their phone to go on social media, text, etc. (unless there is an emergency).
C: Trustworthy students can use their phones for emergencies or class/FE use only.
To better understand my argument, consider the following situation: If someone is using a piece of paper to write things down, and someone else comes and takes it from them with the excuse that it is against the rules to use this piece of paper, it would not be fair. The paper is that person’s property and no one should be able to take that and assume that they are using it for something other than school when they aren’t. The paper being used is the person’s property. They are using it for a reason to benefit them in school. This goes along with cell phones because cell phones are a student's property.
If the current rule was changed, students will be able to use their phones in class when there is an emergency. There have been many times when students get an unexpected call, but they were not allowed to answer it. With my proposed amendment, students will be allowed to use their phones if needed. My argument has some supporters already. According to student DR, “When there is a time where access to a computer isn't well, accessible, there is some contradiction in the Code of Conduct because without my phone, my production and participation in class would be almost absent. Sure, phones can be a distraction for some students, but with the right guidelines and rules, phones should be permitted. For some students, phones are a savior.” DR raises another great reason for why my amendment is needed when he refers to the tech challenges students sometimes face and their inability to have a working laptop at all times
The rule that I am amending follows closest to the first amendment which states that “the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances is prohibited.” This amendment represents the rule I chose to change because students have a right to use their own property. Students own their phones, they should be able to use them if need be. Teachers should not be allowed to dictate if they can use them, especially in emergency situations. I understand that students need to focus, and they should not be able to use cell phones just to go on social media or text, but I think that people should be able to use their phones if necessary. This amendment will help benefit the school community because it places more trust in students.
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